Checklist for UK Visitor Visa 6 Months

[RandolphGB]

Here's what I'm including. Have I forgot anything? 

 

 

The printed application

The printed application checklist

 

• A letter from GF introducing herself, giving details of her employment and why she would like to visit the UK

• A copy of GF ID card

• A copy of GF passport

• A recent passport photo of GF

• GF current tenancy agreement and those from previous years

• A letter from GF employer explaining that she has been given six weeks holiday to visit the UK and guaranteeing her a job when she returns

 

• My sponsor letter (this letter)

• A copy of my passport and the pages with Thai Visas

• Savings account where I have set aside funds for GF visit

• Current account statements
• My tenancy agreement and council tax bill for the property where GF will stay

• Airline books confirmations for our two holidays in January 2016 and June 2016

• Booking confirmation for the condominium we stayed together in Nov 2016

• Photographs of me and GF on previous holidays in Thailand in 2016

• A selection of printouts from our Line messages from January 2016 through to February 2017

 

 

 

 

 

[MaprangHolmes]

You can include a letter from your landlord if you want to saying that they are happy with her staying in the property with you looks OK

 

You don't really need:

• Photographs of me and GF on previous holidays in Thailand in 2016

• A selection of printouts from our Line messages from January 2016 through to February 2017

• Booking confirmation for the condominium we stayed together in Nov 2016

Edited March 14, 2017 by MaprangHolmes

[rasg]

It looks like you have most things covered but she will need her original passport to put the visa in...

 

And her Thai ID card that she will no doubt be carrying with her any way.

 

I keep hearing that photos to prove the relationship are not needed but I have always included them.

 

I don't think she needs a passport photo any longer. It's taken when she gives biometrics

 

[post]

8 hours ago, RandolphGB said:

A letter from GF employer explaining that she has been given six weeks holiday to visit the UK and guaranteeing her a job when she returns

Does she need to give supporting documents (such as bank statements,  pay slips,  contract) related to her current employment?

[Jip99]

You will not need:-

 

Copy of Thai ID

 

Photo............... not required, they take biometrics.

 

Photographs are no longer accepted as part of the submission.

 

Your task is to satisfy the ECO on the 3 key criteria of genuineness of the relationship/reason to visit, financial adequacy and reasons to return.

 

Keep it simple, VfS do not like fancy, bound submissons. Evidence the relationship (with supporting social media contact, visit details etc). A bank statement showing sufficient funds for the holiday duration and evidence of reasons to return (in this case it seems that you only have the job as the reason to return so the employers letter is important - if she owns land etc such details add weight to this criteria).

 

Out of date, but gives an idea:-

 

http://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/thailand/pdf/document-checklist.pdf

 

Also:-

 

https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa/documents-you-must-provide

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/549692/Visitor_Supporting_Documents_Guide_-_English_version.pdf

 

 

Note:-  Section 4 ..... documents you should not send.

 

 

http://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/thailand/frequently_asked_questions.html

 

What should I bring with me?

When you attend your appointment, you should bring

• Your appointment confirmation (this can be an electronic copy on your phone,  or a hard copy),
• Visa fee receipt and user pay visa application centre service fee receipt.
• A valid passport or travel document with at least 1 page that is blank on both sides.
• Make and bring photocopy of your current passport for 1 page
• For applicants who are exempt from giving biometrics: 1 recent passport-sized (45mm x 35mm) colour photograph of your face, which meets the requirements of UKVI’s photograph guidance
• A printout of your online application form, signed and dated.
• If you are applying under the points-based system, a completed self-assessment form, signed and dated.
• Payment receipts for any pre purchased user pays services
• All supporting documents (please ensure documents are removed from any bulky folders such as ring binders as these cannot be accepted as part of your application)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[7by7]

9 hours ago, post said:

Does she need to give supporting documents (such as bank statements,  pay slips,  contract) related to her current employment?

No; a letter from her employer on company headed paper is sufficient.

 

Note that the visa section may phone the employer to verify the letter. If it is written in English they will expect to speak to the signatory in English and will doubt the letter's authenticity if that person is unable to do so. If it is written in Thai then they will be happy to speak to the signatory in Thai; but you should include an English translation.

 

She only needs to provide bank statements if she is contributing towards the costs of the trip. If you are paying for everything then only evidence of your finance is required.

 

RandolphGB,

The links in Jip99's post above give suggestions of what supporting documents can be used. Note that in the guide it says that photographs should not be included unless specifically requested, 

 

She also does not need to provide:

• A letter written by her; your sponsor's letter should include any information you'd put in that.
• A copy of her passport; they will have the original.
• A copy of her ID card; her passport confirms her identity.
• Previous tenancy agreements; the current one is enough.

 

[bobrussell]

I would happily include a few photos despite UKVA saying no. For years they expected these and could use lack of photos as a reason to doubt the relationship.

It costs pretty much nothing to include documented photos but I would put them at the back of the application and just draw the attention of the ECO to them in the covering letter should they be wanted!

My wife had her first visit visa rejected in part because there were few photos! It was many years ago and things have changed a lot since of course!

[rasg]

9 hours ago, Jip99 said:

You will not need:-

 

Copy of Thai ID

My wife had two visit visas just over a year ago and VFS took our copy of her Thai ID card and asked her to sign it and put it in with her visa application.

 

 

 

 

[Jip99]

2 hours ago, rasg said:

My wife had two visit visas just over a year ago and VFS took our copy of her Thai ID card and asked her to sign it and put it in with her visa application.

 

 

 

 

 

Doesn't make it right though........ the "do nots" are quite clear.

 

The ID card is pointless, the passport is the primary source of identification.The ID card has already been used in the passport application and the number appears on the passport!

 

 

I seem to recall that the applicant should "take a secondary form of identification"

[rasg]

1 hour ago, Jip99 said:

Doesn't make it right though...

And it doesn’t make it wrong...

 

It's what VFS did twice just over a year ago for my wife, then girlfriend. Supplying a copy of her Thai ID was no big deal. Had we not supplied it, VFS would have probably done it any way wasting more time. We did the same for Settlement too. All three visas were successful.

 

The "dos" are not clear either. There are items you have to supply and others you can supply.

[oldgent]

I guess the presentation of the Docs are important can anyone say in which order they should be

placed in a folder, starting with say passport or other

[rasg]

I have always used three plastic folders with press studs to keep them closed so nothing can fall out.

 

1. Sponsor info

2. Applicant info

3. Proof of relationship

 

Each folder has a label with the Visa no, name of applicant and the headings above.

 

Page four of my sponsor letter is the index to everything in the three folders, a map to everything that the ECO can get to quickly and easily.

[bobrussell]

Also worth making sure the pages are numbered and explain the numbering system in the covering letter. Reduces the chances that pages may go 'missing' at VFS. It has been known for them to advise documents are removed as not necessary.

It is the applicants paperwork and up to him or her what is in the application not them.

Make life as easy for the ECO and less likely for VFS to interfere!

[Medicine Man]

Having just obtained a UK visitor’s visa for my wife using the Chiang Mai VFS office my friend suggested I put a quick resume of my experiences. I hope this helps somebody in the future.

 

Initiating the application

I found that I could initiate the application myself – my logic here was it would carry more weight than my wife making the application solely in her name. I had to use the old (not beta) site as I couldn’t find the option ‘apply for somebody else’.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/immigration/visas-family-and-friends/getting-a-visa-for-family-and-friends-to-visit-the-uk/

The final printed application form showed it as completed by myself.

 

The actual data entry on the application was fairly standard apart from the fact my wife has given up work to travel with me (I have only been back in Thailand 4 months after taking early retirement) and we had only been renting a condo together for 3 months. My logic was not to provide proof of a genuine relationship with email copies, photos etc as we are married (albeit only 8 months at the time of the application) and the marriage certificate was the absolute proof. As we now live solely off my pension the ‘income and expenditure’ section was difficult and I put zeros for most of the fields apart from where I was paying travel and expenses.

These obviously satisfied the officer processing the application.

 

Supporting Documents

A printed an A4 numbered list of the supporting documents and hand annotated each document with the number allocated to help the officer processing the application. Note: as they state no ring binders etc I put the application and documents all loose inside a plastic sleeve – all with no staples so it could be photocopied easily.

 

My list was as follows:

1.       Supporting documents signed checklist (form downloaded from the UK Visa website)

2.       Sponsorship Undertaking Form (SU07/12) (form downloaded from the UK Visa website however this was returned with the final Visa unstamped ??)

3.       Sponsors Supporting Letter (I found a lot of help on the internet on what to write)

4.       Marriage Certificate of Applicant and Sponsor (Copy of the first 2 pages only of the THAI cert)

5.       Certified Translation of Marriage Certificate (Note certified (local translators details on translation) and NOT Notarised – again only the first 2 pages and only a photocopy reqd)

6.       Photocopy of Applicants Current Passport (Photo Page) (This wasn’t used for the submission to the UK office but VFS stamp it and give it back to you as a receipt for when you pick up the passport so I wouldn’t list it as a supporting document)

7.       Notification of Sponsors Pension Benefits (Copy from my pension provider)

8.       6 Months of Applicants Bank Statements

9.       6 Months of Sponsors Bank Statements

Note: Money transfers from the Sponsor to the applicant are shown as ‘XENDPAY.COM’ (out) and ‘Foreign T/T’ or ‘Transfer’ (in).

10.   Official Copy of Land Registry Title of Sponsors Flat (This was a printout from the UK LR website however it was returned with the Visa???)

11.   Council Tax Bill (2017/8) for Sponsors Flat (This was a copy however it was returned with the Visa too???)

 

Actual Interview (in Thai)

My wife was expecting difficult questions about my family and intent to return to Thailand however all she was asked was to confirm her email address, phone number and that the application was for a visitor’s visa. She was given the hard sell about VFS’s text message service to update her on the application (85 Baht) which she took. I hadn’t read the other comments on Thai Visa about this being a waste of time as you get an email and telephone calls anyway when the passport is ready to collect.

 

Processing

The total time from the interview to picking up the passport & Visa was 14 days – quicker than we expected for a first time application. The annoying thing is you don’t get to know the decision until you pick up the passport from the office (the UK Visa email just says a decision has been made!). I suppose I shouldn’t have expected any different as this all seems to be a game that you have to play but for £152 you would think they could have 2 standard emails to send out with a plain yes or no.

[7by7]

Thanks for the info, it is always useful to heat the experiences of those who have gone through the process.

 

Some points, though.

 

1 hour ago, Medicine Man said:

I had to use the old (not beta) site as I couldn’t find the option ‘apply for somebody else’.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/immigration/visas-family-and-friends/getting-a-visa-for-family-and-friends-to-visit-the-uk/

The final printed application form showed it as completed by myself.

That is a link to Citizens Advice.

 

Standard visitor visa is the actual UKVI guidance.

 

1 hour ago, Medicine Man said:

2.       Sponsorship Undertaking Form (SU07/12) (form downloaded from the UK Visa website however this was returned with the final Visa unstamped ??)

Never required for visit applications. Usually only required in settlement applications for adult dependent relatives.

 

1 hour ago, Medicine Man said:

10.   Official Copy of Land Registry Title of Sponsors Flat (This was a printout from the UK LR website however it was returned with the Visa???)

11.   Council Tax Bill (2017/8) for Sponsors Flat (This was a copy however it was returned with the Visa too???)

No. 10 not essential for a  visit application; No.11 definitely not needed.

 

You seem surprised that some of your supporting documents were returned; This is what they should, but often don't, do.

 

1 hour ago, Medicine Man said:

Actual Interview (in Thai)

This was not an interview, VFS do not interview applicants. They are merely a collection agent acting on behalf of UKVI.

 

VFS staff will check an application is complete, but should never interview applicants nor comment in any other way on an application. Even if they believe an application to be incomplete they must forward it to the embassy if the applicant insists.

 

The only people who actually interview UK visa applicants are members of the embassy's visa section staff. This is rarely done these days, and when it is it is usually done over the telephone.

 

1 hour ago, Medicine Man said:

The annoying thing is you don’t get to know the decision until you pick up the passport from the office (the UK Visa email just says a decision has been made!). I suppose I shouldn’t have expected any different as this all seems to be a game that you have to play but for £152 you would think they could have 2 standard emails to send out with a plain yes or no.

Although out of the UK, the visa section in every post is still covered by the Data Protection Act; which means they have a legal duty to take all reasonable steps to ensure everything about an application, including the result, is kept strictly confidential between themselves and the applicant or the applicant's appointed representative. 

 

So passports and decision letters are returned to VFS for collection or forwarding in sealed packages; even VFS don't know the result. 

 

I'm intrigued by your paying £152. The fee for a standard 6 month visa prior to the recent increase was £87. I know that UKVI's charging in USD scam will have added around £4 to £5 onto that; but what was the rest for?

[NotEinstein]

6 hours ago, 7by7 said:

I'm intrigued by your paying £152. The fee for a standard 6 month visa prior to the recent increase was £87. I know that UKVI's charging in USD scam will have added around £4 to £5 onto that; but what was the rest for?

"Having just obtained a UK visitor’s visa for my wife using the Chiang Mai VFS office"

 

He paid 55 quid extra for his wife to be processed in Chiang Mai, rather than the extra expense and hassle of traveling to BKK.

Edited April 14, 2017 by theoldgit
Long quote snipped, as per forum rules.

[7by7]

21 hours ago, NotEinstein said:

He paid 55 quid extra for his wife to be processed in Chiang Mai, rather than the extra expense and hassle of traveling to BKK.

 

55 quid! What a rip off!

[NotEinstein]

2 hours ago, 7by7 said:

 

55 quid! What a rip off!

Actually it works out cheaper if you live in Chiang Mai and don't have to buy 8 plane tickets.....

[Medicine Man]

1 hour ago, NotEinstein said:

Actually it works out cheaper if you live in Chiang Mai and don't have to buy 8 plane tickets.....

Yes, my logic was plane tickets plus taxis and the hassle factor. We could have had the passport returned by post from Bangkok but it was easier to travel to the Chiang Mai VFS office.

[MaprangHolmes]

paying for the Visa in dollars is a rip off paying extra money to apply in Chang Mai another rip off, the real cost of processing an application to the price you pay is another rip off is there anything that the government of the day will not rip people off for?

[7by7]

18 hours ago, NotEinstein said:

Actually it works out cheaper if you live in Chiang Mai and don't have to buy 8 plane tickets.....

 I can see that, but £55 is still over charging imho.

 

Why 8 tickets? Only one trip is required to VFS, unless one chooses to collect passport from them rather than have it sent back.

[Holmsedale25]

My wifes has just been refused on the ground she couldn't show enough evidence of our relationship before our marriage! 2 years together before marriage, with covering letter, proof of contact, photos, etc. What more can we show? Also mentioned that although her bank statements were given they do not show from who the money comes, even though my statements were also supplied and payments to her are clearly shown on and around the same dates with name and account number. It seems they are now judge and jury but choosing not to properly view the supporting docs supplied. 

[bobrussell]

1 hour ago, Holmsedale25 said:

My wifes has just been refused on the ground she couldn't show enough evidence of our relationship before our marriage! 2 years together before marriage, with covering letter, proof of contact, photos, etc. What more can we show? Also mentioned that although her bank statements were given they do not show from who the money comes, even though my statements were also supplied and payments to her are clearly shown on and around the same dates with name and account number. It seems they are now judge and jury but choosing not to properly view the supporting docs supplied. 

Was this for a visitor visa?

 

Perhaps best to start a new thread and post the refusal notice (after removing any identifying details). I suspect there will be some good advice forthcoming! If nothing else it may help with a new application.

 

It is very odd that a relationship should be 'challenged' after marriage. There is no requirement to show evidence of a relationship before marriage. Couples with arranged marriages may not have a significant pre-marriage relationship!

ECO's do sometimes make quite bizarre decisions!

[7by7]

6 minutes ago, bobrussell said:

Perhaps best to start a new thread and post the refusal notice (after removing any identifying details). I suspect there will be some good advice forthcoming! If nothing else it may help with a new application.

Indeed; without seeing the refusal notice and so knowing the exact reasons given by the ECO for the refusal, it is impossible to comment meaningfully, ley alone advise on what to do.

 

Starting a new topic means that your posts wont get lost in this old one, which is nothing to do with refusals.

[Holmsedale25]

Agreed but she is immediately re-applying so do not want to jeopardise that until it is again refused or approved. We are using a 3rd party to help us and again submitting bank statements clearly highlighting the transfers and including further e-tickets and boarding passes from previous trips together (something they tell not to included!).

[7by7]

2 minutes ago, Holmsedale25 said:

Agreed but she is immediately re-applying so do not want to jeopardise that until it is again refused or approved.

Why would seeking advice here jeopardise an application?

 

Remember, she must deal with all the reasons given in the refusal, or she will simply be refused again.

[rasg]

14 minutes ago, Holmsedale25 said:

Agreed but she is immediately re-applying so do not want to jeopardise that until it is again refused or approved. We are using a 3rd party to help us and again submitting bank statements clearly highlighting the transfers and including further e-tickets and boarding passes from previous trips together (something they tell not to included!).

Can you confirm the type of visa your wife applied for please? I haven't ever heard of UKVI specifying that you should not supply boarding passes or e-tickets. Without them for my wife's first visit visa application all we would have had to rely in to prove our relationship would have been photos of us together and skype logs. Is the 3rd party you are using a visa company?

 

Posting the refusal notice would help a lot.

Edited April 26, 2017 by rasg

[Holmsedale25]

2 minutes ago, rasg said:

Can you confirm the type of visa your wife applied for please? I haven't ever heard of UKVI specifying that you should not supply boarding passes or e-tickets. Without them for my wife's first visit visa application all we would have had to rely in to prove our relationship would have been photos of us together and skype logs. Is the 3rd party you are using a visa company?

 

Posting the refusal notice would help a lot.

A tourist visa only. 

 

Yes we are using a visa shop.

 

I have no idea who looks at this site, so just sharing the comments from the refusal for now. She stayed with me overseas during the early part of our pre- marriage relationship and we showed entry and exit stamps of that country on her passport. I didn't keep e-tickets for that long back but thankfully kept some e-tickets and boarding passes from a trip late last year, which we hope will help this re-application. The photographs we previously submitted have major landmarks/tourist spots of 3 other countries in the background but they maybe thought they were photo shopped!

 

The proof of funds issue is complete bull, unless the people at the VFS office took it upon themselves to remove my bank statements from the docs that finally made it to the UKVI office, so no way for the reviewer to verify my wifes statements against mine.

[rasg]

5 minutes ago, Holmsedale25 said:

A tourist visa only. 

 

Yes we are using a visa shop.

 

I have no idea who looks at this site, so just sharing the comments from the refusal for now. She stayed with me overseas during the early part of our pre- marriage relationship and we showed entry and exit stamps of that country on her passport. I didn't keep e-tickets for that long back but thankfully kept some e-tickets and boarding passes from a trip late last year, which we hope will help this re-application. The photographs we previously submitted have major landmarks/tourist spots of 3 other countries in the background but they maybe thought they were photo shopped!

 

The proof of funds issue is complete bull, unless the people at the VFS office took it upon themselves to remove my bank statements from the docs that finally made it to the UKVI office, so no way for the reviewer to verify my wifes statements against mine.

Many "visa shops" are shockingly bad giving wrong advice etc. Far better doing it yourself.

 

It is possible that VFS may have removed documents. They have been known to do so. Did the bank statements come back when they returned the documents, passport etc?

 

Check with the airlines that you flew with. You might still have access to the bookings online.

 

Much better if you remove the personal info from the refusal notice and post it.

[Holmsedale25]

9 minutes ago, rasg said:

Many "visa shops" are shockingly bad giving wrong advice etc. Far better doing it yourself.

 

It is possible that VFS may have removed documents. They have been known to do so. Did the bank statements come back when they returned the documents, passport etc?

 

Check with the airlines that you flew with. You might still have access to the bookings online.

 

Much better if you remove the personal info from the refusal notice and post it.

Starting to get that feeling!

 

I am not sure what docs have been returned because the shop has retained everything to re-submit, along with the additional history i have tracked down. Good advice about the airlines, i will give that a try right now.

 

I have removed the personal info but the UKVI paper is thin and you can make out print on the back side which clearly gives important info away, i would end up posting a blank sheet!